Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Washington, DC

Fresh Hot Tips for Visiting the National Aquarium in Baltimore

by Beth Hoffman

May 27, 2009

We have been talking about a trip to the National Aquarium in Baltimore for months, and we finally made it up there on Memorial Day.  So, here are my newly-updated tips for your visit.

• Remember the stroller ban.  You can check your stroller when you get to the aquarium, but lines to check them in and out get long.  You might want to leave it in the car and fetch it later if you are staying in Baltimore for the day.
• If you want to see the dolphin show, buy your tickets in advance or be prepared to wait for an afternoon show.  We bought our tickets at 10:00 (the aquarium opens at 9:00), and the next available show was at 3:30.
• Check the aquarium's website for a list of their highest traffic days.  The aquarium basically tells you not to come on those busy days, and you would do well to heed their advice.  Memorial Day was not too crowded, at least in the morning while we were there, but the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend is one of their high volume days.
• Plan a stop at the Harbor View Cafe.  It is about halfway up in the main exhibit and a great place to let the kids have a little more freedom to wander and blow off a bit of steam from all their good behavior.  It is also a great place to let the little kids out of whatever backpack/Ergo/Baby Bjorn you've strapped them into for the visit.
• Pay attention to what the fish are eating.  We saw zucchini, lettuce, and bok choi, and my hgihly vegetable-averse preschooler suddenly wants to try "that thing the polka dot fish was eating."
• Warn the kids well in advance about the sharks.  Also warn the kids that much of the aquarium is rather dark to allow better viewing of the fish.
• Either be prepared to buy tickets to tour the submarine right outside the museum, and rent a paddle boat, and possibly go sailing in the pirate ship that my kid spotted in the harbor, or have your firm nos ready to go.